Boston's streetlight struggles

Also: Controversey on the banks of the Charles River, Boston's streetlight struggles; what's next for Trump after historic indictment [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  April 5, 2023 ☁️ Cloudy, with a high near 42 and a chance of rain this afternoon. Good Morning Boston, Yesterday marked the beginning of an uncertain new chapter in contemporary American history that threatens to further polarize local residents. (I'm of course referring to [the rumors that Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been trying to trade quarterback Mac Jones]( Let's start today with some real on-the-ground news. It's not quite potholes, but it's close: - Boston public works crews are "extraordinarily" fast to respond to problems with things like streetlights or bridges under their control. In some cases, "we can be there in 15 minutes," according to Mike Donaghy, the city's street lighting and assets manager. However, officials acknowledged yesterday that things sometimes do fall through the cracks. It's an issue the Boston City Council turned to with renewed urgency after [a streetlight in the Seaport fell and injured a woman last fall]( prompting the removal of roughly two-dozen other lights. - Let's reiterate: We mentioned this in yesterday's newsletter, but the city's aging infrastructure is in a constant battle with New England's harsh weather. The deterioration caused by things like sea air and salt water mean that crews must make repairs more often than in other places, particularly by the ocean. - Boston manages over 70,000 streetlights and 40 bridges. While bridges are inspected at least every two years, streetlights are inspected on an "ad hoc basis" when issues are noticed — which can be "challenging" to spot early. - Another issue: 311 reports can get lost in the process of trying to figure out which city or state agency is responsible for repairs, said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Boston's chief of streets. "I have a few maps that I keep around of areas that have a lot of multiple jurisdictions at play, and it's almost comical," he said. - What's next: Boston City Council President Ed Flynn urged the city's public works leaders to not be shy about requesting more money and personnel as the city enters budget season: "If the mayor says 30% increase, say 'Flynn says 40%,' because we want to make sure that we have the right resources to get the job done." - State officials are planning to keep Memorial Drive in Cambridge open to cars all day on Saturdays this summer. The Department of Conservation and Recreation announced this week that pedestrians and cyclists will have the stretch to themselves only on Sundays, beginning April 30 through Nov. 12. It’s a controversial return to the pre-COVID schedule for the so-called [Riverbend Park](. - The last few years, the street was closed on both Saturdays and Sundays in the summer through the fall. [Several elected officials in Cambridge]( are publicly speaking out against the "[disappointing]( decision — even [asking fellow Cambridge resident Gov. Maura Healey to overturn it](. - Why the change? DCR spokesperson Ilyse Wolberg [told the Boston Herald]( that there were "concerns about elevated traffic and pollution in surrounding residential neighborhoods, some of which are classified as environmental justice communities.” - The head of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind is stepping down, following allegations of verbal abuse and controversial decision-making. The Boston Globe [reports]( that David D’Arcangelo's last day leading the state agency will be this Friday. - His resignation comes after the Globe [reported Sunday]( that D’Arcangelo had been the subject of multiple HR complaints alleging verbal abuse and inappropriate comments. Employees also questioned his decisions to cut resources and services while pursuing expensive projects, including a television studio in Boston and a comic book that was unavailable in Braille. - Boston University will allow students who are not vaccinated against COVID to enroll this fall. BU became one of the first large local universities to announce plans yesterday to drop their universal COVID vaccine mandate. Beginning on May 23, the university will move to a "tiered" policy that only requires students and staff involved with patient-facing healthcare to show proof of vaccination. - BU is still strongly encouraging everyone on campus to stay up to date on their COVID vaccines and boosters. However, Judy Platt, BU's chief health officer, said the relaxation of the mandate aligns with [the end of the state's COVID public health emergency next month](. P.S.— Today is the [last day of WBUR’s spring fundraiser]( and we still have $83,464 to go. So far, 3,318 independent journalism fans have already made their gift. Will you join them and help us reach our goal? [Donate here.]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Trump charged with 34 felony counts in hush money scheme]( A stone-faced Donald Trump, making a historically momentous court appearance as the only ex-president to be charged with a crime, was confronted with a 34-count felony indictment Tuesday accusing him in a scheme to bury negative information during his first campaign. [Read more.]( [Trump charged with 34 felony counts in hush money scheme]( A stone-faced Donald Trump, making a historically momentous court appearance as the only ex-president to be charged with a crime, was confronted with a 34-count felony indictment Tuesday accusing him in a scheme to bury negative information during his first campaign. [Read more.]( [Rep. Stephen Lynch and Tufts redistricting expert testify in federal suit challenging Boston's new map]( This week, opponents and defenders of a newly drawn district map, which Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed into law, made their case in federal court. Closing arguments in the could come on Wednesday. [Read more.]( [Rep. Stephen Lynch and Tufts redistricting expert testify in federal suit challenging Boston's new map]( This week, opponents and defenders of a newly drawn district map, which Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed into law, made their case in federal court. Closing arguments in the could come on Wednesday. [Read more.]( [As statewide network gets overloaded with body cam data, Mass. DAs want better tech]( The proliferation of body cam footage in Massachusetts has revealed that the network district attorneys offices rely on may need an upgrade. Accessing footage in one office has led to another office losing access to email, one DA said. [Read more.]( [As statewide network gets overloaded with body cam data, Mass. DAs want better tech]( The proliferation of body cam footage in Massachusetts has revealed that the network district attorneys offices rely on may need an upgrade. Accessing footage in one office has led to another office losing access to email, one DA said. [Read more.]( [Healey names Massachusetts Latino council members]( Gov. Maura Healey released the names of 40 individuals who will be appointed to the Governor's Council on Latino Empowerment, which she plans to formalize at an executive signing on Wednesday. [Read more.]( [Healey names Massachusetts Latino council members]( Gov. Maura Healey released the names of 40 individuals who will be appointed to the Governor's Council on Latino Empowerment, which she plans to formalize at an executive signing on Wednesday. [Read more.]( [For the first time in 15 years, liberals win control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court]( The Wisconsin Supreme Court could soon vote to legalize abortion and end gerrymandering now that Janet Protasiewicz, backed by Democrats, has defeated GOP-backed Dan Kelly for a seat on the bench. [Read more.]( [For the first time in 15 years, liberals win control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court]( The Wisconsin Supreme Court could soon vote to legalize abortion and end gerrymandering now that Janet Protasiewicz, backed by Democrats, has defeated GOP-backed Dan Kelly for a seat on the bench. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - What's next for Donald Trump after yesterday's historic indictment? Here are [five things to know about the felony charges]( plus: - His response: [Donald Trump lashes out, resorting to old tactics after arraignment hearing]( - The election angle: [What Trump's arraignment means for his 2024 election bid]( - Zoom out: [A history of U.S. presidents and hush money payments]( - For people like Jake Wideman, trying to get parole is like walking a highwire. It’s full of pitfalls, politics and, in some cases, straight up wrongdoing. The [third episode of our new podcast Violation delves into America’s opaque parole system]( and the challenges faced by those seeking parole. Listen [wherever you get your podcasts]( - Des Linden's new memoir offers a mile-by-mile account of her historic 2018 Boston Marathon victory. But the book also includes stories we've never heard before from Linden's harder times leading up to that win. [Read an excerpt from "Choosing to Run,"]( via Here & Now.  What We're Reading 📚 - The Undercover Organizers Behind America’s Union Wins ([Bloomberg]( - Evan Gershkovich Loved Russia, the Country That Turned on Him ([The Wall Street Journal]( - Ming Tsai’s controversial comments onstage were just the start of the conversation ([The Boston Globe](  Tell Me Something Good [Maine claims record for biggest ice disk — at 1,776 feet]( Volunteers cut a big ol’ circle in a frozen lake and set it in motion like a frozen Lazy Susan, claiming a world record in a category that few people know exists: The biggest ice carousel. [Read more.]( [Maine claims record for biggest ice disk — at 1,776 feet]( Volunteers cut a big ol’ circle in a frozen lake and set it in motion like a frozen Lazy Susan, claiming a world record in a category that few people know exists: The biggest ice carousel. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [talks to Violation host and reporter Beth Schwartzapfel]( about the nation's parole system and the stories of the people entangled in it. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Get ready for tomorrow]( New England. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2022 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.